I’m just going to say it: I think short games get a bad reputation.
Perhaps because videogames can be an expensive hobby,it’s easy to try and associate overall length with value. It makes sense from a purely mathematical standpoint, after all.
But when you stop andremember some of the amazing gamesyou’ve enjoyed, you don’t think about how long they were. You think about how they made you feel.
11 Best Metroidvanias If You Usually Hate Metroidvanias
It’s a genre that can be hard to get into. But these games make it a little easier than most.
It just so happens that many Metroidvanias feel pretty short as a result of being linear experiences. But don’t get it twisted, that in no way makes them bad.
Here’s a list of several amazing Metroidvania adventures that feel linear, and perhaps are, but are still well worth playing.
10Pharaoh Rebirth+
Ancient Curses Abound
Vaka Game Magazine
Metroidvania
Release Date
June 08, 2025
Pretty much everybody thinks ofIndiana Joneswhen they think of ancient relics and dangerous tombs. But there’s another explorer that’s less well known, a stalwart rabbit named Dr. Jonathan Banfield!
His career is going swimmingly until his once-friend Andre arrives and opens a sarcophagus, unleashing a deathly curse on Banfield and himself.
You only have a few short days to gather 7 Holy Grails to break the curse. Which lends the adventure to being short and sweet, but it’s also full of crazy boss battles and supernatural foes.
If you want to spend more time withPharaoh Rebirth+, there are always multiple difficulties, and even a Boss Rush mode.
A Bloody Spectacle
Carrionis a very original and unusual Metroidvania. Not only do they flip the script and have you playing the monster in this horror adventure, but you’re also trapped in a facility full of gun-toting humans.
Since the majority of the game is about finding a way to escape from the delicious humans, it’s probably not surprising thatCarrionis a pretty short burn.
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Throw these characters into an open area without loading screens and you’ll have masterpieces.
It’ll feel longer when you’re trapped by a sneaky puzzle or on the hunt for a diabolical new upgrade.
But once you’re fully decked out with all manner of monstrous abilities, the adventure will end in a true bloody spectacle.
8Shadow Complex Remastered
Jason vs. The Restoration
Shadow Complex Remastered
You’d be forgiven if you hadn’t heard ofShadow Complex Remastered, since it originally came out a while ago.
But if you missed it,you owe it to yourself to pick up this thrilling Metroidvania full of espionage, dark secrets, and the potential destruction of America.
And yes, there are lots of cheesy lines, but that can be a benefit to some players.
Jason finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy fomented by a group called The Restoration. Luckily, he can turn their deadly tools of the trade against them.
Jason will need all the help he can get against this deadly paramilitary group. I especially enjoyed the Proving Grounds challenges added to the remastered version of the game.
Iko in the Sky
One of my favorite new developers is named Kyle Thompson.
I first enjoyed his quirky, pacifist Metroidvania calledSheepo. And then he moved on to release one set in a chain of flying islands calledIslets.
InIslets, you play an aspiring hero named Iko. The call to adventure brings him to the floating islands, where monsters are suddenly causing mischief.
This Metroidvania isfull of quirky humor, fun platforming, and challenging boss battles.
It’s not the longest adventure, but the randomized nature of upgrades, plus the great art and style, make it a worthy escape.
6Timespinner
Rewind the Clock
Timespinner
As a pretty devoted fanboy of the Metroidvania genre, it probably won’t surprise you that I helped crowdfundTimespinner.
I loved the appeal of the lush SNES-style graphics, as well as the plot of revenge and time travel.
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While the game is a lot of fun and offers multiple endings, there’s a surprise.In a game where the primary conceit is time travel, somehow this adventure is over too soon.
But you’ll probably wind back the clock to get those additional endings, plus various achievements. I know I did!
Bird-Brained Adventure
Purely from a visual standpoint,Owlboyis stunning.
It’s pixelated and full of minute details, and tells the tale of a mute, winged hero named Otus.
While the story is also compelling, the game itself is somewhat held back by tricky controls, as well as needing to rely on items and allies to deal damage.
That said, this is a unique Metroidvania adventure from D-pad Studio, and it’s one that still has plenty of variety.
If you’re able to move past some weak points, you’ll find this is a great, albeit short, little Metroidvania 10 years in the making.
4Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Soma’s Quest
Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow
Although I’m very much a fan ofCastlevania, I didn’t loveAria of Sorrowwhen I first played it.
Sure, I enjoyed the futuristic setting as well as the mysterious new hero, Soma Cruz. But it wasn’t until years later that the game really spoke to me.
Once it did, however, I found this GBA adventure to be an outstanding one.Using the souls of fallen foes as weapons was a heady drug, as was the shocking twist at the end of the story.
All that said, mostCastlevaniaadventures are on the short side, taking place in a single, expansive castle.
But fret not, since the final entries are truly spectacular.
3Iconoclasts
One Mechanic to Fix the World
Iconoclasts
Joakim ‘Konjak’ Sandberg is a wizard. I mean that in the nicest of possible ways, though.
The indie developer is able to tell unique and captivating stories with gorgeous visuals and memorable mechanics. One such example was a Metroidvania calledIconoclasts.
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It’s the tale of a mechanic named Robin, a world on the verge of destruction, and tricky puzzles to solve.
Not to be outdone,the aesthetic of the game is captivating, somewhere between a GBA and SNES adventurewith bright and bold colors.
Iconoclastswas a game I spent a lot of time enjoying on my Vita, and I didn’t want it to end.
Sadly, once it did, I discovered this was one of the rare modern Metroidvanias without a best ending.
2Metroid Fusion
The Horrors of the X Parasite
Metroid Fusion
AlthoughSuper Metroidwill always be the one that everybody talks about,Metroid Fusionis still one of my favorite adventures in that spectacular series.
I loved how the plot was pivotal in this adventure, where Samus faces a threat unlike any other, the deadly X Parasite.
These powerful mimics nearly annihilate Samus early on, and later torment her with a vicious doppelgänger.
Long beforeMetroid Dread, this wasthe game that instilled a sense of menace and the fear of the unknownin our favorite bounty hunter.
AlthoughMetroid Fusionis undeniably a short burn, it’s one that’s jam-packed with atmosphere, challenge, and brutal boss battles.
1Shantae & The Pirate’s Curse
Ahoy, Matey!
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
It was a real close call to see which game would take the top honors, but ultimatelyI had to give the gold to my favorite genie, Shantae.
Not only is theseries at largea charming one, butShantae and the Pirate’s Curseis my favorite of all the games.
It’s a colorful and challenging Metroidvania full of memorable characters.
Bereft of her genie powers, Shantae will utilize magical pirate relics that grant her outstanding powers.
If you haven’t played this adventure yet, I would strongly encourage you to check it out. WayForward has outdone itself with this particular game!
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